Modular sensing device for processing gestures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017192516-A1
Application number	US-201615253763-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 31, 2016
Priority date	Jan 4, 2016
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A modular sensing device can generate output via one or more output devices. The modular sensing device can include an inertial measurement unit that generates sensor data corresponding to user gestures performed by a user, a wireless communication module, a mode selector enabling the user to select a mode of the modular sensing device out of a plurality of modes, and one or more output devices configured to generate output based on the user gestures and the selected mode. The selected mode configures the manner in which the modular sensing device generates output via the one or more output devices based on the user gestures.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A modular sensing device, comprising:
an inertial measurement unit to generate sensor data corresponding to user gestures performed by a user; a wireless communication module; a mode selector enabling the user to select a mode of the modular sensing device out of a plurality of modes; and one or more output devices configured to generate output based on the user gestures and the selected mode; wherein the selected mode configures the manner in which the modular sensing device generates output via the one or more output devices based on the user gestures.

2 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the modular sensing device is configured to be portable and insertable into at least one compatible apparatus.

3 . The modular sensing device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one compatible apparatus comprises at least one of a wrist-worn device or a wielded device.

4 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the mode selector comprises a button.

5 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller implementing a plurality of state machines, each respective state machine being associated with a corresponding user gesture that, when performed by the user, causes a state transition by the respective state machine, and wherein the state transition of the respective state machine causes the one or more output devices to generate a corresponding output specific to the selected mode and based on the corresponding user gesture.

6 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more processors; and one or more memory resources storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
in response to a user input on the mode selector for the selected mode, execute a corresponding instruction set in the one or more memory resources for the selected mode; and
interpret the user gestures in accordance with the corresponding instruction set to generate output via the one or more output devices.

7 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module comprises a BLUETOOTH low energy module.

8 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode comprises a drive mode, the drive mode enabling the user to control a self-propelled device with the modular sensing device.

9 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode comprises a smart home control mode, the smart home control mode enabling the user to control at least one smart home device using the modular sensing device.

10 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the selected mode comprises a gaming mode, the gaming mode causing the modular sensing device to output task-oriented instructions for the user to perform in connection with a game.

11 . The modular sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more output devices include a haptic system, an audio system, and a visual system.

12 . The modular sensing device of claim 11 , wherein the visual system comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) array.

13 . A method of generating outputs based on user gestures, the method being performed by a modular sensing device and comprising:
receiving a mode selection input to select a mode from a plurality of selectable modes; in response to the mode selection input, interpreting user gestures in accordance with the selected mode; and generating output commands for one or more output devices, wherein the generated output commands are determined based at least in part on the user gestures and the selected mode.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the mode selection input is received via a button.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
implementing a plurality of state machines via a controller, each respective state machine being associated with a corresponding user gesture that, when performed by a user, causes a state transition by the respective state machine; wherein the state transition of the respective state machine causes the modular sensing device to generate a corresponding output command specific to the selected mode and based on the corresponding user gesture.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
in response to the mode selection input, executing a corresponding instruction set in one or more memory resources of the modular sensing device for the selected mode; and interpreting the user gestures in accordance with the corresponding instruction set to generate output via the one or more output devices.

17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for generating output with a modular sensing device, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the modular sensing device, cause the one or more processors to:
receive sensor data, via an inertial measurement unit of the modular sensing device, corresponding to user gestures performed by a user; receive user input, on a mode selector of the modular sensing device, the user input selecting a mode of the modular sensing device out of a plurality of modes; in response to the user input, execute a corresponding instruction set for the selected mode; interpret the user gestures in accordance with the corresponding instruction set; and generate output via one or more output devices of the modular sensing device based on the user gestures and the selected mode.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the modular sensing device is configured to be portable and insertable into at least one compatible apparatus.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the at least one compatible apparatus comprises at least one of a wrist-worn device or a wielded device.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the one or more output devices include a haptic system, an audio system, and a visual system.

Assignees

• Sphero Inc

Inventors

• Godby Colin
• Berberian Paul

Classifications

• G06F1/1694

  the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer · CPC title

• A63H33/005

  Motorised rolling toys · CPC title

• A63F13/212

  using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity · CPC title

• G08C2201/32

  Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device · CPC title

• A63H17/26

  Details; Accessories (drive mechanisms A63H29/00) · CPC title